Hellertown woman ‘wowed’ by wrestling
\nBy: Mary Caruso<\/p>\n
Many septuagenarians look forward to their golden years with a sense of stillness. It’s a time of sitting back and relaxing, reaping the benefits of years of labor in the employment arena – calm, quiet, peaceful.<\/p>\n
Yet, one over-70 woman in Hellertown spends her time in the rowdy, noisy, sweaty atmosphere of Saucon Valley’s high school gym.<\/p>\n
Lorraine Bowers, more affectionately known as “the old lady in the first row, “has spent 38 years routing for the Panthers. <\/p>\n
At a recent party, honoring her 75th birthday on Aug. 16, Bowers was the one receiving cheers from a roomful of family and friends who had gathered to wish her well.<\/p>\n
Although the party was decorated and centered around her guests’ love of NASCAR racing, Bowers admitted to her love of high school wrestling.<\/p>\n
“My brother wrestled at Saucon Valley in 1966, “Bowers said, “and I found I liked watching the sport. ”<\/p>\n
Since then, she has become an ardent fan of the valley’s high school wrestlers.<\/p>\n
As her presence became more frequent, and her encouragement more intense, Bowers became a personal friend to many of the wrestlers.<\/p>\n
Now deemed an adopted “mom “of the team, one of the students dared her to get a tattoo affirming her allegiance to the sport. <\/p>\n
Bowers was thinking of something “mom-ish “when one of the students noted that “mom “upside-down would indicate a “world of wrestling “insignia. Bowers liked the idea, and later added a small heart in the middle of the “o.”<\/p>\n
“I have a heart on for life, “Bowers said.<\/p>\n
Bowers, who also struggles with breast cancer, said her hobby enables her to “still laugh, still have fun.”<\/p>\n
Her monthly treatments of chemotherapy don’t seem to slow her down at all. <\/p>\n
She attends graduation parties, and sends cards to all the wrestlers whom she has endeared. <\/p>\n
“I’ve been to more than two dozen parties already, “Bowers said, and her line-up was not yet completed.<\/p>\n
She also collects small mementos to remind her of significant nicknames. <\/p>\n
“I have a bear for the Gridas – Eric and Steven, and just found a “bull “bowl for Brandon Boyer.”<\/p>\n
She carries her trinkets to each match, and always sits in the front row, seat 13.<\/p>\n
“It’s a number that has always been lucky for me, “Bowers said.<\/p>\n
Apparently, it’s been lucky for the Panthers as well, having helped them win last season’s Colonial League title and becoming the first undefeated team since 1962.<\/p>\n
Mary Caruso is a reporter for The Saucon News. She can be reached at mcaruso@berksmontnews.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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